The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has defended himself against allegations of extremism, renewed his opposition to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, and expressed confidence that the NDC ticket of Peter Obi and himself will win the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kwankwaso said Nigerians, particularly young people, are seeking leaders who can improve their living conditions rather than politicians focused on ethnic or religious sentiments.
“People are tired of the situation they are in now. They want something new, something that can help their lives, something that can improve the security and welfare of the people of this country,” he said.
He argued that critics of the NDC alliance are disconnected from the realities facing northern Nigeria.
“Those who are going against that ticket are not even conversant; they are not in touch with realities in northern Nigeria Today,” he said.
When asked about a proposed US bill that reportedly named him alongside others over allegations of religious persecution and communal violence, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims and said, “Let me start from the issue of assets. I have no asset anywhere outside Nigeria, so there is nothing to freeze.”
He described the allegations as politically motivated, saying, “Everybody has enemies. People decided to send my name here and there. But realities have now come out, and that issue is gone. It is no longer an issue.”
When asked whether he believed his name had been cleared, he
